The Top 10 Small Stadia In The World - #1

With plans being developed for a new stadium for AFC Bournemouth, we're taking a salivating look at what the future might have in store for our club.

We've scoured the world for what we feel are best stadia with a capacity broadly within the club's stated range - around 20,000, give or take a few. We're going to talk about what we like about them, what features we think can be incorporated into a new stadium for us - and where they could be improved.

A new entry in the top 10 will be published every few days until we've completed our countdown - and then we'll collate it all into one post for posterity.

1. Raiffeisen Arena, Linz

On the banks of the Danube sits the leafy Austrian city of Linz. With a population of 200,000 it is the capital of Upper Austria and has a history dating back to Roman times when it was a fortification on the river known as Lentia. From its imperial old town centre to its galleries and digital industry built in modern architecture, Linz straddles the new and the old with a progressive culture that embraces its historic identity.

The city's main centre is located to its north by the river, and to the west is the brand new Raiffeissen Arena, which opened in 2023 after a 2 year build and is the home of LASK (Linzer Athletik-Sport-Klub) built on the same site as the club's old stadium albeit slightly to the north. The old Linzer stadium was a multi-use facility including an athletics track - the new stadium is purely for football.

The stadium runs along an east-west axis, with a slope running from the dominant south stand to the smaller north giving a distinctive shape. The stands are all steeply sloped to the pitch, keeping fans close to the action with perfect sightlines from every position.

Behind the goal at the western end of the stadium is a stunning single-tier safe standing terrace, with a capacity of 4,500 in standing configuration. Its steep slope provides the perfect environment for the creation of a superb atmosphere in the stadium. In seated setting for UEFA competitions and international matches it can hold 3,000. In standing configuration, the stadium's overall capacity is 19,080 which puts it very much in the ballpark for the size of a new AFC Bournemouth ground.

The northern and eastern stands flow together through filled in corners and have a split-tier configuration.

The eastern stand behind the goal is a family stand and incorporates a 1,000 square meter creche that provides age-appropriate activities for children too young to sit through a whole match.

The the main south stand integrates four levels of hospitality with regular seating. The top level is dedicated to executive boxes with 42 available alongside two larger event boxes.

The other three levels support the 2,000 capacity business club with three distinct lounges and tunnel club offering drinking and dining next to the players tunnel which is separated only by a glass wall.

The stand also includes a chapel, for the use of the players and for supporters' services like weddings, naming ceremonies and memorials.

In the south-east of the stadium, there is an additional open on non-match days as well as when the team is playing. The restaurant specialises in healthy cuisine and is where the team's players refuel after training.

Outside the stadium, a fan zone which backs onto the western stand features live music and entertainment before and after matches whilst hosting street food vendors from the local area as well as the club's own catering outlet.

LASK's stadium is the yardstick by which any new stadium plan for AFC Bournemouth should be measured. The architects Raumkunst ZT have done a superb job integrating modern hospitality needs without impinging on the provision for ordinary supporters and the whole project was delivered for a staggeringly low price of £56.75m.

The safe standing terrace is a thing of real beauty and we envy those fans that get to enjoy supporting their team on this stand. The thought that we could have a home as good as this is a truly mouth watering prospect.

What we like

✅ The 4,000 capacity safe standing terrace is the stuff of dreams

✅ Imposing main stand with plenty of hospitality

✅ Sleek, distinctive exterior

What we'd change

❎ There's no indoor supporter bar

The Top 10 Small Stadia In The World - #1 - Raiffeisen Arena

1. Raiffeisen Arena, Linz

What we like

What we'd change